10. Nike Air Penny IV

Player: Nick Young

Nick Young of the Clippers went Arenas during the 2012 Playoffs, always pulling something new out of the vault, Young had sneaker blogs on daily watch to see what he would rock on court next — the Penny IV was just one of his many gems.

9. Air Jordan Retro III “Black/Cement”

Who: DeJuan Blair

We already named these the greatest Jordans of all-time earlier this year, the fact that over 20 years later they’re still so functionally dope on the court — ’nuff said. Too bad we can’t say the same for DeJuan — doghouse status.

8. Nike Air Flight One “Orlando”

Player: Delonte West

When Delonte West is kind enough to take time off from freestyling in fast food drive thrus he is actually a hell of a ball player with some pretty dope kicks. His go-to sneaker in 2012 appeared to be the “Orlando” re-release of Penny’s second unofficial signature shoe (these were first), the Air Flight Ones.

7. Nike LeBron 9 P.S. Elite PE “NBA Finals”

Player: LeBron James

The Swoosh continued to keep breaking out new colorways for its biggest star (sorry Kobe) on what felt like a nightly basis, but none as important as the “NBA Finals” player exclusives that had The King seeing red and finally showing no mercy at the right time. Is “NBA Finals MVP” clutch enough for you?

6. Air Jordan Retro VIII PE

Player: Ray Allen

Sugar Ray has been getting hooked up with player editions from MJ’s crew for a minute now. Allen rocked his sick pair of VIIIs that matched perfectly with his Celtics green. When you hit 2,700+ trifectas, good things are bound to happen. Practice that jumper, son.

5. Nike Zoom KD III Sample “3M”

Player: Nick Collison

Nick Collison isn’t exactly a regular when it comes to busting out something crazy on his feet, but during the Conference Finals he rocked a pair of unreleased “3M” KD IIIs that had sneakerheads everywhere wondering how HE of all people got his hands on a pair. It’s good to know the right people.

4. Nike LeBron 9 P.S. Elite PE

Player: Lebron James

The Elite 9s are hands-down James’ best postseason sneaker to date. And this all-black pair with the minimal red accents are definitely in need of a release to celebrate The Chosen One finally getting his ring. C’mon.

3. Nike Zoom KD IV “White/Gold”

Player: Kevin Durant

2012 has been all about chasing the gold, whether it was getting a makeup of gold-accented kicks for the playoffs or medals at the Summer Olympics in London. Durant’s KD IV line has taken off in terms of popularity compared to his previous three models thanks to the heads at Beaverton, Oregon keeping it fresh and most importantly under $100. We hear the people talking and we hope Nike does too, sneakerheads need to get their hands on the white and gold NBA Finals KD IVs. Elite status.

2. Nike LeBron 9 “MVP”

Player: LeBron James

Congratulations to Nike’s Employee of the Year. After getting crowned with his third MVP award, LeBron James got hooked up with a sneaker to celebrate the accolade. He wasn’t finished, though — not by a long shot.

1. Nike Air Zoom Generation “First Game”

Player: Nick Young

It’s hard to believe it has been almost a decade since an 18-year-old kid from Akron, Ohio laced these up in his first attempt to help save a franchise from the slums of the standings and bring pride back to a city that was in desperate need. Nick Young broke out Bron’s first NBA kicks against the veteran Spurs who were in the midst of blacking out and just destroying everyone in their path. Just like someone else we know.